Press Release

Fair Elections Statement on Election Reform Legislation

Fair Elections for New York responds to Senate and Assembly election reform package:

“Legislators deserve strong praise today for passing a voting reform package that will make it easier for many thousands of New Yorkers to exercise their right to vote, and for shrinking the LLC loophole – a long overdue and important first step on the campaign finance reform front. Passage of these voting reforms helps New York catch up to the rest of the country, and the LLC loophole legislation takes important steps towards preventing the wealthiest few New Yorkers from continuing to get around the intent of campaign finance law,” said Dave Palmer, campaign manager for Fair Elections for New York.

“However, to truly increase the voices of average New Yorkers in the political process, and in turn lessen the power of big money, the Legislature must now act to pass a small-donor matching system, with lower contribution limits, as part of the budget process. Without these key reforms, big money will continue to dominate the system in New York – which the Campaign Finance Institute has found consistently ranks among the worst states when it comes to participation of small donors in elections.

“Thankfully, Majority Leader Stewart Cousins and Speaker Heastie have each carried Fair Elections bills, the Governor strongly supports these reforms, and today the Legislature has shown, through its actions, that it is capable of swift action on important policies.”

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New Yorkers deserve a responsive, accountable government. Voter turnout in New York is among the lowest in the nation, due in part to antiquated procedures for registration and voting that discourage participation. And our campaign finance system favors the wealthy over everyday, working New Yorkers. To tackle the crises we face in housing, living wage jobs, criminal justice, affordable health care, transportation, climate, fair taxes, and more, we must transform a campaign finance system that advantages the interests of the few over those of the many.